chocolate strawberry celebration cake

First, this picture was taken with an iPhone. Usually I wouldn’t share it, but the cake was too amazing to keep quiet. Ashley and I had so much fun making this together for Christmas Eve dinner. Mom made a fabulous prime rib and the whole family feasted like we’ve never feasted before! Our favorite part was most definitely Ashley’s chocolate buttercream – OUT OF THIS WORLD! Absolutely amazing.

Ingredients

1 package (18-1/4 ounces) chocolate cake mix

1 package (3.9 ounces) instant chocolate pudding mix

4 eggs

1 cup (8 ounces) sour cream

3/4 cup water

1/4 cup canola oil

4 ounces semisweet chocolate, meltedFROSTING:

2 cups (4 sticks) unsalted butter, room temperature

12 ounces semisweet chocolate, melted and cooled

1 1/2 teaspoons pure vanilla extract

3 – 5 cups confectioners’ sugarGARNISHES:

2 ounces semisweet chocolate, melted

1 pound fresh strawberries, hulledGANACHE:

4 ounces semisweet chocolate, chopped

1/2 cup heavy whipping cream

Directions

Combine the first seven ingredients; beat on low speed for 30 seconds. Beat on medium for 2 minutes. Transfer to two greased and floured 9-in. round baking pans.

Bake at 350° for 28-32 minutes or until a toothpick inserted near the center comes out clean. Cool for 10 minutes before removing from pans to wire racks to cool completely.

In the bowl of an electric mixer fitted with the paddle attachment, beat butter until smooth and creamy, 2 to 3 minutes. With mixer on low speed, add chocolate until just combined. Add vanilla and 3 cups sugar; mix on medium until well combined, being careful not to overmix. Add more sugar according to desired texture and taste (we used only 3 cups).

For ganache, place chocolate in a small bowl. Heat cream just to a boil; pour over chocolate and whisk until smooth. Drizzle over top of cake, allowing ganache to drape down the sides. Top with chocolate garnishes.